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Images courtesy of Jennifer Rainey

We were given Lilly’s diagnosis over the phone, as we were on our way home from the CT scan of her brain. We were finally told she had Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) – after over a year of chasing the cause behind numerous ear infections, incurable rashes and an unquenchable thirst. This mouthful of words meant nothing to me. Nonetheless, it was an answer. Lilly was only 2 years old, and we were scared to death.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” I’m reminded of a back-to-school commercial in which the father is ecstatically shopping for school supplies while this song is playing in the background. As we enter a new school year, now is a good time to establish or reestablish daily routines and healthy sleep habits. A new school year can be a stressful time for both parents and children.

Children adjust to changes more effectively when their daily routines are predictable and steady. Parents can discuss routines...

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably heard of probiotics by now and wondered if they might be a good fit for you and/or your child. What are probiotics? Can they really improve your digestive system? These are just a few of the common questions I get from parents when it comes to these bacteria.

That’s right – probiotics are bacteria. Before you panic, let’s break this down and figure out what the hype is all about.

Probiotics are foods or supplements containing live microorganisms (the “good” bacteria)...

Images courtesy of Paul Kuntz and Rosimar Suddeth

The day we had longed for had finally arrived. We were pregnant – with twins! Our first-time parent excitement kicked into high gear. As the weeks went by, I delighted in taking weekly pregnancy photos and made it through my first trimester smoothly with all of the expected symptoms.

During my second trimester, however, all was going well until it was not. Our world was flipped upside down at 23 weeks gestation. I remember this day so vividly, too. I was at work when I experienced some leakage – not a significant amount, but also not minimal. In tears...

Hurricane Harvey, which brought catastrophic flooding to Houston last year, was a disaster that didn’t discriminate. It would be impossible to identify someone in Houston who wasn’t affected by the storm in some way. In fact, the mere mention of these two words is enough to evoke nausea and anxiety in most people I know.

Unlike many of my patients, colleagues and friends from Texas Children’s Hospital, I’m a Houston native and “hurricane historian” of sorts. When initial warnings on Harvey became concerning, many...